A Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Best Machetes in 2019

For years, people have associated machetes with violence. The gory images that we see in horror movies have also dented their reputation further, especially in the developed world. However, as the best loppers are, machetes are important day-to-day accessories that benefit people in many ways. When gardening or grooming lawns, for instance, they are perfect for clearing shrubs and or weeds. They are also perfect for camping. Finally, during animal attacks, they have saved the lives of millions of people. Buy yours to enjoy these benefits and much more.

In stores, machetes come in different types and sizes. Which one is the best for 2019? Whether you are a gardener or a camper the machete that you buy should be as durable as possible. Check its material. Does it have a habit of breaking or dulling whilst in use?

A Complete Guide To Choose The Best Machete for Camping or Home Use

Such products do not serve people well. The one that you buy should be able to handle most challenging cutting jobs well. Moreover, keep comfort in mind. A machete with a hard and or irritant handle will harm you over time. Look for a model with a comfortable handle that you will enjoy using for long. The 10 brands that we have talked about herein offer these benefits.

10. Ames 4918

Which are the best machetes in 2019? This is a challenging question to answer considering the diversity of the products in stores. Several brands stand out though. Ames 4918, for instance, is an18-inch machete that is suitable for camping and gardening. It is a durable accessory. The tempered steel used to make it, for instance, withstands abuse well without shuttering over time. The material is also flexible and has a sharp edge that you can home easily when dull. This makes its one of the best machete for clearing dense brush and grasses on demand.

When gardening or camping, the experience that you get is as good as the quality of the machete you are using. Ames 4918, for instance, does not disappoint. In addition to its durable and flexible blade, you get an ergonomic handle that absorbs shock well. Whenever you are chopping trees, thus, this lowers the risk of injuries significantly. Because this machete is light and well balanced, you can also maneuver it easily whilst cutting or chopping.

Ames 4918 is an affordable machete. If you are shopping for the best hand tools on a budget, a new one will serve you well. You also get a heavy-duty nylon sheath for safe storage and transportation.

Pros:

Light and well-balanced machete

Heavy-duty nylon sheath

Tempered steel blade

Well-honed cutting edge

Comfortable handle

Cons:

None

9. SOG Specialty Knives & Tools MC02-N SOGFari

SOG is a popular company with many functional and aesthetic specialty knives in its arsenal. It also has many reputable machetes that have found a place in most top 10 reviews. This MC02-N SOGFari model, for instance, is a light and portable machete for campers and hikers. The 18-inch steel blade that you get is durable. Its powder-coated surface resists rust and corrosion. Finally, its dual edge design is innovative. You can use it for cutting twigs or weeds with good results. It also handles sawing jobs well.

Even though its blade is a major attractant, it is not the only reason why MC02-N SOGFari is a best seller online. In terms of comfort, it is also better than most comparable products in this niche. Because of its lightweight design, for instance, you can cut and saw with it for long without straining your joints. The six-inch Kraton rubber handle that you get is also one of the best. It is comfortable. Its non-slip surface, on the other hand, improves the safety and performance of its users. This machete has a free sheath (heavy-duty nylon) or safe transport and or storage.

Pros:

Powder coated 18-inch steel blade

Six-inch Kraton rubber handle

Dual cutting edges (straight and serrated)

Heavy-duty nylon sheath

Rust and corrosion resistant

Light/well-balanced design

Limited lifetime warranty

Cons:

Blade chips easily

8. Gerber 31-002076 Gator Bolo

Buy Gerber 31-002076 Gator Bolo to get a durable full tang machete made of steel. If you are looking for a machete that delivers superior chopping and cutting power, do not hesitate to buy yours. Because its blade is thick, heavy, and has a distinctive bulge that improves swing speed, you will enjoy using it. Finally, measuring 22.5 inches (full length), this machete is larger than some comparable models. This is not a con. Whilst chopping or cutting, you will reach shrubs and branches easily.

With Gerber 31-002076 Gator Bolo, the risk of slipping whilst in use is slim. Irritation and injuries are also non-issues because of its quality handle. Made of a lanyard, it is smooth and comfortable. It also has an amazing grip in both wet and dry weather. This machete has a d-loop and belt for easier transportation and a nylon sheath for safe storage.

Pros:

Heavy-duty steel handle (15.5-inches)

Comfortable lanyard handle

Sturdy D-loop and belt

Protective nylon sheath

Chops and cuts well

Reputable brand worldwide

Cons:

Very thin edge (dents/bends)

7. Jungle Master JM-021

Contrary to what most people think, the biggest machetes are not always the best. If you camp often, for instance, a smaller and portable model such as Jungle Master JM-021 will serve you better. With an overall length of just 21 meters, you will never struggle to carry this machete around. It is also sturdy and has a high-performance design made of a full tang stainless steel blade (blade). Forget about it corroding or rusting over time.

Many people use machetes to cut or chop trees and shrubs. Others use them for weeding or gardening. If you are looking for one that can handle all these jobs well, consider Jungle Master JM-021. It has a thick and sharp edge that cuts efficiently. It is also chip and dent proof and has a lightweight design that you can use for long.

Does your existing machete injure your hands whenever you are cutting or chopping? With Jungle Master JM-021, this is never an issue. It is light and easy to maneuver. Its hand, on the other hand, has a thick paracord wrapping (550) that maximizes the comfort and safety of users. This machete comes with a free nylon sheath for safe transport or storage.

Pros:

Comfortable paracord handle (550)

Thick nylon sheath

Thick and sharp cutting edge

Full tang stainless steel blade (blade)

Compact and portable design

Cons:

Hard to sharpen

Low-grade lanyard

6. Tomahawk Ninja

Are you looking for a cost-effective machete for clearing bushes and thickets? Do you want a well-engineered machete for defending yourself from animal attacks? Tomahawk Ninja is an affordable accessory that offers value for money. With an original, for instance, you get a portable 20-inch accessory that you can travel with easily. This makes it an ideal machete for campers and hikers. It is also a powerful accessory. Unlike some machetes that shutter on impact, for instance, its full tang blade (one-piece) absorbs stress well. It also has a stylish black themed that does not corrode over time.

Never waste money on a poorly made machete that will irritate and harm your hands over time. As much as blade quality is important, your product of choice should be comfortable as well. Tomahawk Ninja meets this threshold. It is light and easy to wield. You also get a comfortable lanyard handle, an adjustable shoulder strap, and a free nylon sheath (heavy duty) for safe storage.

Pros:

Comfortable lanyard handle

Heavy-duty nylon sheath

Black one-piece blade (full tang)

Adjustable shoulder strap

Portable machete

Cons:

Poor quality handle and sheath

5. Tramontina 26621/018

Traditional machetes are popular because of their charm and built quality. Tramontina 26621/018, for instance, is a top-rated product with a quality design that people like. The wood used to make its handle, for example, is thick, smooth, and comfortable. It is also non-irritant and lasts longer than the low-grade lanyard that most comparable machetes have. During your camping trips, you will enjoy using it.

Apart from its quality handle, the value of the blade that people get is impressive. If you have used a few machetes that have snapped or dented over time, this one will serve you well. The 18-inch high carbon blade that you get is long and durable. Outdoors, it handles both chopping and cutting jobs with no issues. It also has a well-honed edge that you can sharpen easily when dull. Both campers and homeowners appreciate the value of this machete.

Pros:

High carbon 18-inch blade

Comfortable wooden handle

Chops and cuts material well

Stylish traditional theme

Rust and corrosion resistant

Cons:

None

4. United Cutlery BV124

Ranked among the best Savage Jungle Hunter machetes in 2019, United Cutlery BV124 is a valuable tool. People like it for many reasons. If you are shopping for a high strength machete, for instance, do not hesitate to buy one. The full tang steel used to make its blade is durable. The risk of it snapping or denting over time, for instance, is very slim. Corrosion and rust are also non-issues.

Many people also like its flexibility and high swing speed. If you enjoy camping or clear large swatches of land whilst gardening, this is the best machete to use. It is long (25-inches). Its dual cutting edges (straight and sawed), on the other hand, improve its versatility. Finally, United Cutlery BV124 is a lightweight machete with a rubberized handle that stays comfortable for long. It will not irritate and or harm your wrist over time.

Pros:

Dual cutting edges (straight and sawed)

High swing speed

Full tang steel blade

Corrosion and rust resistant

Long (25-inches) machete

Heavy-duty storage sheath

Comfortable rubberized handle

Cons:

Feels cheaply made

3. Gerber 31-002289 Bear Grylls Parang

Talking about the best machetes, Garber is an acclaimed brand with some of the best products in the market. This 31-002289 Bear Grylls Parang model, for instance, is a heavy-duty machete that is perfect for clearing limbs and shrubs. Its short and angled blade is sturdy. It is also durable, rust proof, and has a well-honed edge that you can sharpen easily at home.

Even though small, the swing speed of this machete is impressive. Whether you are tackling small shrubs and branches or medium sized one, you do not have to exert a lot of energy to clear them. Finally, its textured rubber handle is comfortable. It does not irritate the hand over time. It also has a tight grip that does not slip easily, even at full swing.

Pros:

Heavy-duty steel blade (angled)

Non-slip rubber handle

Easy to sharpen

Compact and portable design

Durable nylon sheath

Impressive swing speed

Cons:

None

2. Condor Tool and Knife Golok

Considered among the best hand tools-machetes in 2019, Condor Tool and Knife Golok is special in many ways. If you are looking for a portable machete, for instance, its compact 14-inch design is convenient. You can carry it to your camping site easily. At home, on the other hand, you do not require a lot of space to store this machete.

The well-formed hardwood handle that Condor Tool and Knife Golok has is another highlight. Made of wood, it has a warm and comfortable feel that most people like. It is also smooth and has an angled design that does not slip easily whilst in use.

Finally, the quality of the blade that you get is one of a kind. The high carbon steel (1075) used to make it is durable. It is also easy to sharpen and has an epoxy-coated surface that resists corrosion and rust over the years. Buy yours to get a stylish leather sheath for safe storage.

Pros:

Epoxy-coated steel blade

Comfortable hardwood handle

Portable 14-inch design

Corrosion and rust resistant

Durable leather sheath

Cons:

Noticeable grind on its blade

1. Ontario 6145

Ontario 6145 is a black military-grade machete made of hardened (50-55 HRC) 1095 carbon steel. If you have a large lawn that you groom often or venture on many outdoor trips, this is the product for you. The blade withstands abuse well. It is also sharp and has an impressive swing speed.

Measuring 24-inches, you get a long machete that handles most cutting and chopping jobs well. The molded plastic handle that it has is sturdy and comfortable. Finally, the heavy-duty sheath that you get is perfect for storage and or transportation. You will like this product.

Pros:

Molded plastic handle

Hardened steel blade

Long 24-inch design

Heavy-duty sheath

Cons:

Slippery handle

Conclusion: Machetes play an important role in homes and camping sites. Apart from protection, you can use them to clear shrubs or set up structures such as tents. If you are looking for one, avoid the cheap products that often disappoint people. One of the 10 machetes that we have reviewed will serve you the best.